SURREY, B.C. — Greg McGhee knows he isn't safe.
The 23-year-old finished last season as the No. 3 quarterback for the B.C. Lions, an accomplishment to be sure in his first CFL campaign, but also a position that by no means guarantees him a job in 2016.
Head coach and general manager Wally Buono has a history of cutting young QBs who don't take a significant step forward in their second training camp, a trend McGhee was made well aware of soon after his arrival.
"A couple guys were telling me last year that the No. 3 quarterback is like a revolving door," said McGhee. "It just keeps circling around with different guys. I did everything I possibly could in the off-season to prepare."
B.C. cut Travis Patridge — No. 3 on the depth chart in 2014 — prior to last season, keeping McGhee and fellow rookie Jonathon Jennings.
McGhee suited up for 10 games in all, seeing most of his limited action in short-yardage situations, but also watched as Jennings rocketed to the starting role with veteran-like composure following injuries to Travis Lulay and John Beck.
It's a scenario McGhee said keeps him motivated and prepared.
"We all were in the same meeting room," said the Pittsburgh native. "We did everything the same and (Jennings) got his opportunity and took it and ran with it. Opportunities can happen for anyone. You've just got to be ready for it."
The six-foot-three, 208-pound Howard University product was among a group of predominantly first- and second-year players taking part in the Lions' recent two-day minicamp at their practice facility ahead of the main camp at the end of the month in Kamloops, B.C.
Jennings is currently slotted in at the top of the depth chart followed by Lulay. After that, things get a little murky.
"Everybody knows there's jobs at stake," said Buono. "One of the things I mentioned to the players is we want to improve our football team. One of the ways you improve is by bringing in better players who compete. Greg McGhee is going to compete."
Another one of those players brought in is fellow quarterback Keith Price, who signed with the Lions this winter after spending last season with Saskatchewan.
The 24-year-old from Los Angeles dressed for 13 games with the Roughriders in 2015, but only saw action in the final three, completing 32 of 50 passes for 407 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
"I'm just here playing my role, trying to better myself so I can better the team," said Price, who played at the University of Washington in Seattle. "I have high, high, high expectation for myself.
"The only competition is me. It's competing with myself day in and day out. I know it's cliche, but it's being the best that I can be and studying and making sure I'm preparing as a starter."
Buono likes Price's size — he's six foot one, 202 pounds — and was also impressed by what he brought on the field in terms of accuracy and arm strength.
"We wanted to get a young guy in here that's paid his dues and was going to get a fresh start," said Buono. "Our scouting department knew who he was and the fact that he played at Washington, the fact that he was a West Coast kid was all in our favour."
The Lions finished 7-11 in 2015 before a first-round playoff exit in Jeff Tedford's one-and-done season that led to Buono's return to the sidelines for the first time since 2011.
"One of the themes that we want to definitely have this year is we want the guys to compete at all positions," said Buono. "We don't want anything to be given."
But he did hint that if both McGhee and Price deserve to be with the Lions, the club will find a way to keep them.
"You're not going to get rid of a good quarterback and a good football player," said Buono. "You can never have too many good quarterbacks."
